Major League Baseball hasn't finalized a plan for the 2020 season, but it's long looked like fans won't be able to attend games whenever the league starts up.
Chicago Cubs president of business operations Crane Kenney hopes the stands won't remain empty for the entire campaign. However, he doesn't expect accomodating fans at games to be easy.
"We have not given up on bringing the fans back into the ballpark this year," Kenney said, according to The Athletic's Patrick Mooney. "There would be a series of protocols. Much like you’re seeing the reopening of our economy in certain places, the phases would likely not include all 40,000 on Day 1. It would be sequenced with a group of fans, hopefully growing over time."
"We think there is a lot of progress on the testing front," he continued. "We know that we’re not quite there yet to get the ballpark open. But it’s our hope and our expectation that we would get the ballpark open this year for fans, if only for the playoffs."
The eventual regular-season start date is still unknown, but the league is targeting mid-June for the beginning of camp in current talks, and an early July Opening Day. There are several hurdles to clear before an official start can be announced.
"If for whatever reason, prolonged negotiation with the players, continued health risks, if our elected officials are not on board with getting started with that as a target date, we would adjust the schedule and then look to push it back," Kenney said. "I can tell you I have a weekly call with the commissioner - all the team presidents do - and he is steadfast in his desire to play baseball this year. Even if that is a very short season. Even if it is one where the playoff format changes."
Late Thursday, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred outlined details of a plan to ensure player safety. The league plans to submit an 80-page proposal to the players in the coming days.
